Foundations that fund recreation and sports in Colorado
These 25 foundations made grants to recreation and sports in Colorado in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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The Colorado Health Foundation
- $675,000 to Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership, Denver: Thriving young people
- $182,500 to High Valley Community Center Inc, Del Norte: Thriving young people
- $112,260 to Mile High 360, Denver: Thriving young people
How to apply: The online application can be found at www.coloradohealth.org. Online application to include organization's financial statements for most recent 12 months, and fiscal sponsor agreement and financials if using a fiscal sponsor to apply.
Deadlines: Grant application deadlines: february 15, june 15, and october 15.
Restrictions: Types of organizations funded: colorado organizations classified as tax-exempt under irs revenue code 501(c)(3); colorado public agencies, including state and local governments. Grant applications are considered for funding if they align...
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
- $220,000 to Stratton Area Foundation 2 Inc, Stratton: Childcare center development in stra
- $166,666 to Western Stock Show Association, Denver: Sponsorship naming rights for the sc
- $20,000 to Telluride Foundation, Telluride: The cimarron athletic field project
How to apply: Applications must be submitted through our online grantee portal supported by giving data by 5:00 pm on the deadline date. Grant seekers are encouraged to call one of the foundation's program officers prior to submitting an application.
Deadlines: Thursday, january 15, 2026; friday, may 1, 2026; tuesday, september 1, 2026
Restrictions: The foundation funds early childhood development, and initiatives and special projects. Organizations are limited to one grant request in any 12- month period.
Nextfifty Initiative
- $100,000 to Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center, Denver: General support
- $29,000 to Two Peaks Fitness, La Veta: General support
- $5,000 to Sebs Recreation Center, Aurora: General support
How to apply: Please see to www.next50foundation.org for details.
Deadlines: Nextfifty initiative will have two grant application cycles.
Restrictions: Please see to www.next50foundation.org for details
The Vf Foundation
- $35,000 to Civic Center Conservancy, Denver: Civic Center WORKS
- $25,000 to First Descents, Denver: First Descents I Expanding Participation and Access to Outdoor Adventure and Psychosocial...
- $25,000 to Sos Outreach, Avon: SOS Outreach - Expanding Outdoor Industry Career Opportunities for Young People
How to apply: Please visit https://www.vfc.com/responsibility/the-vf-foundation
Deadlines: January 1 through February 1, 2024
Restrictions: Qualifying organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Federal Tax Code (or international equivalent).
The Isabel Foundation
- $250,000 to Adventure Unlimited, Greenwood Village: 2025-2027 pledge - general operating
- $15,000 to Adventure Unlimited, Greenwood Village: General operating, camperships and any other unexpected needs
- $2,000 to Adventure Unlimited, Greenwood Village: Matching grant for general operating expenses
How to apply: Initial submission should be made online at isabel.org
Deadlines: February 1st
Restrictions: The organization was formed to maintain a fund or funds so the income therefrom and the principal thereof can be used to provide financial support to religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational activities either directly,...
Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation
- $31,000 to The Cycle Effect, Eagle: Unrestricted
- $30,000 to Sos Outreach, Avon: Unrestricted
- $15,000 to Steamboat Tennis Association, Steamboat Springs: Unrestricted
Libertygives Foundation
- $31,150 to Roundup River Ranch, Gypsum: General purpose
- $6,150 to Young Americans Center for Financial Education, Denver: General purpose
- $6,150 to Special Olympics Colorado, Centennial: General purpose
How to apply: The grant application is available upon request via the applicant's liberty media contact person.
Deadlines: Grant proposals for 2025 have a deadline of june 25, 2025 and 2026 have a deadline of june 25, 2026.
Restrictions: Recipient must be a 501(c)(3) organization based in colorado with a charitable purpose consistent with the libertygives' theme. In 2010, the libertygives foundation established a permanent theme for corporate giving. The selected giving...
Louis F and Florence H Weyand 1977
- $10,000 to John Austin Cheley Foundation, Denver: General operating
- $10,000 to Southwest Colorado Cycling Association, Cortez: General operating
- $6,000 to Roundup River Ranch, Gypsum: General operating
How to apply: Grant applications can be made by sending a letter with a brief description of the proposal and a copy of your internal revenue service exemption letter.
Restrictions: This trust is created and organized exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary and/or educational purposes. The geographic area is limited to michigan, florida, and california.
Fred & Jean Allegretti Foundation
- $10,000 to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver: Environment
- $10,000 to National Sports Center for the Disabled, Denver: Youth development
- $2,500 to National Mill Dog Rescue, Colorado Springs: Animals
How to apply: Proposal format
The James Patrick Griffith Foundation
- $5,000 to Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Golden: General contribution
- $3,500 to First Descents, Denver: General contribution
- $3,000 to Camp Courage, Denver: General contribution
How to apply: The selection process is limited solely by the discretion of the trustees, and currently the trustees do not anticipate a formal application or approval process for prospective donees. Prospective donees will be identified and evaluated solely based on direct interactions with...
Restrictions: Any restrictions or limitations will be at the discretion of the board of directors.
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $50,000 to Energy Outreach Colorado, Denver: Healthy homes through decarbonization
- $50,000 to National Sports Center for the Disabled Inc, Golden: Ski cup volunteer support grant
How to apply: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Deadlines: Applications are accepted from february 1 through october 1.
Restrictions: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
The Ms Grumbacher Foundation
- $73,000 to Big City Mountaineers, Arvada: Endowment
- $15,000 to Big City Mountaineers, Arvada: Support of expanded service in california
How to apply: In letter form with all pertinent information furnished/included
Deadlines: November 1 to april 30
Russell Grinnell Memorial Trust
- $62,000 to Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates Inc, Colorado Springs: Unrestricted general
- $20,000 to Pikes Peak Athletics Foundation, Colorado Springs: Unrestricted general
How to apply: Cover letter, proposal narrative, attachments.
Deadlines: March 1st & september 1st
Restrictions: For organizations that seek to address childrens education, health and safety needs.
Raymund Foundation Inc
- $30,000 to Telluride Foundation, Telluride: General support
- $5,000 to Telluride Mountain Club, Telluride: Preserving & enhancing tellurides's outdoor recreation
How to apply: Letter that highlights activities of the organization.
The Musser Fund
- $22,000 to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver: General operating
- $3,000 to Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Golden: General operating
How to apply: Letter form with copy of exemption attached
Nathan B & Florence R Burt Foundation
- $10,000 to Yess Institute, Denver: General support
- $10,000 to Mile High 360, Denver: General support
How to apply: Applications must be submitted in a prescribed format determined by the Foundation. Please visit www.burtfoundation.org to download the most recent grant materials and application form.
Deadlines: The Foundation accepts grant applications and approves grants once a year.
Restrictions: Early childhood development and education; programs to improve high school graduation rates in Colorado.
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
- $5,000 to First Descents, Denver: General operating
- $5,000 to First Descents, Denver: General operating
How to apply: Visit https://www.crownfamilyphilanthropies.org to apply online
Deadlines: Visit https://www.crownfamilyphilanthropies.org for more information
Restrictions: Visit https://www.crownfamilyphilanthropies.org for more information
Herbert E Parker Char
- $5,000 to Wapiyapi, Denver: General operating
- $5,000 to Special Olympics Colorado, Centennial: General operating
How to apply: Written request
Deadlines: 4/30 annually
Restrictions: 501(c)(3) organizations
Woodell Foundation Inc
- $6,000 to Roundup River Ranch, Avon: General support
- $1,000 to Cycle Effect, Eagle: General support
How to apply: Applications should be submitted in writing and contain the name and address of the charitable organization and the purpose of the grant.
Todd W Hoffman Foundation Inc
- $5,000 to Telluride Foundation, Telluride: General purpose
- $2,000 to Telluride Mountain Club, Telluride: General purpose
How to apply: A letter request providing 501(c)(3) status address to todd hoffman.
The Gelb Family Foundation
- $3,000 to Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Breckenridge: Gifts were made togeneral operating fundof this organization
- $2,000 to Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Golden: Gifts were made togeneral operating fundof this organization
How to apply: Letter - no more than two pages and no enclosures
Restrictions: Texas only
The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation
- $3,000 to Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Colorado Springs: 2025 Labor Day Lift Off
- $2,000 to Mile High 360, Denver: General Operating Support
How to apply: For details regarding the application process, please see the foundation's website at: www.jhedmondson.org
The Scripps Howard Foundation
- $1,250 to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Inc, Denver: Volunteer Gift
- $1,250 to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Inc, Denver: Volunteer Gift
Levitetz Family Foundation Inc
- $225,000 to Usa Wrestling, Colorado Springs: General purpose
How to apply: Letter form is suggested, although not required. No special material required.
Deadlines: None.
Restrictions: None.
Cdv5 Foundation
- $210,000 to Chance Sports, Denver: Project/program - west michigan expansion
How to apply: Details available at cdv5foundation.org
Restrictions: More information on the foundation's funding priorities is available at cdv5foundation.org
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